Delta has decided not to resume seasonal service between Atlanta and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic this coming winter. The service was launched last December, operating with a daily 737-800.

This is the third Delta route to the region being announced and discontinued within a short period, following Atlanta-Santiago and Fort Lauderdale-Santo Domingo, though Delta has found success in more traditional Domincan markets like New York City-Santo Domingo and Atlanta-Punta Cana.

Service to North Eleuthera, in the Bahamas, which was launched earlier this summer, will be suspended between 19 August 2007 and November 3, 2007. Loads have been very poor. Loads to George Town, Bahamas, which was launched at the same time, have also been poor, but the flight will not be suspended, rather just flying at reduced frequency. I don't think GGT and ELH will last very long. The destinations aren't very developed as resort destinations (especially ELH) and rely heavily on Floridians.

Actually GGT will also be suspended effective August 19th and resume service in early October. This was not the right time of year to start service to these markets. I'm pretty sure the loads will pick up in the fall.

Quoting MAH4546 (Thread starter):Delta has decided not to resume seasonal service between Atlanta and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic this coming winter. The service was launched last December, operating with a daily 737-800.

I think this one would have worked better for them on a 737NG, or even an EMB-170 on S5. POP is strictly a leisure destination (some of the least pricey in the entire Caribbean) with lots of "All-Inclusives," and despite the connectivity offered by ATL, I think JFK would have been the better origination point for DL (CO offers service from nearby EWR).

Quoting MAH4546 (Thread starter):This is the third Delta route to the region being announced and discontinued within a short period, following Atlanta-Santiago and Fort Lauderdale-Santo Domingo, though Delta has found success in more traditional Dominican markets like New York City-Santo Domingo and Atlanta-Punta Cana.

The D.R. has actually found much more success in marketing themselves as an inexpensive "Fun-N-Sun" destination from Canada than from the U.S. PUJ however is starting to be discovered by the college students during spring break.

DELTA Air Lines; The Only Way To Fly from Salt Lake City; Let the Western Heritage always be with Delta!

Quoting ATLBoiler (Reply 1):Actually GGT will also be suspended effective August 19th and resume service in early October. This was not the right time of year to start service to these markets. I'm pretty sure the loads will pick up in the fall.

While the Caribbean is typically a winter market, the Bahamas does do well during the summer months, so it wasn't started during the worst time either. I don't know who thought Eleuthera would be a good idea - it was a bad idea from the start. George Town, however, shows promise. Ever since the Four Seasons opened there a few years ago, it has really gained in popularity.

Quoting EXAAUADL (Reply 3):
I wouldnt say DL is successful in JFK-SDQ, and Santiago is even worse.

Interesting to know. I was under the impression those routes did well.

That flight isn't doing so well either, didn't you make not it was supposed to get downgraded to E-70 this summer?

Quoting SLCUT2777 (Reply 2):
I think this one would have worked better for them on a 737NG, or even an EMB-170 on S5.

It was operated with both 738 and E-70 at various times. The E-70 is arguably a better aircraft for this poor performer.

Quoting SLCUT2777 (Reply 2):POP is strictly a leisure destination (some of the least pricey in the entire Caribbean) with lots of "All-Inclusives," and despite the connectivity offered by ATL, I think JFK would have been the better origination point for DL (CO offers service from nearby EWR).

That still doesn't change the fact that POP isn't popular enough with Americans to sustain twice daily flights from Miami, and near daily flights from Atlanta and Newark. Regarding JFK-POP, if AA (DR specialist) failed, and they have a large FF base in NYC and a loyalty to be reckoned with in the DR (dedicated ticked offices, largest carrier, supports baseball teams,etc), what makes you think Delta can make it work? Not to mention, Delta is already flying JFK-Santiago which is nearby and is a larger market with a larger educated class that travels abroad more often (even they are doing bad on it according to another a.net member).

Quoting EXAAUADL (Reply 3): wouldnt say DL is successful in JFK-SDQ, and Santiago is even worse.

While DL was initially all over the map with both JFK-SDQ and JFK-STI adjusting frequencies and aircraft type (went from 763s to 757s to 738s to 757s, etc.), I believe they have managed to 'right-size' these two markets for the moment. Both SDQ and STI from JFK are subject to very wild swings in demand - during peak season, 5 A380s a day probably wouldn't be enough, but during the low and shoulder seasons, it can be quite difficult. Their strategy now is to use 757s during the peak season and 738s during the low season....have been doing that for a year or two now...and seems to have stabilized somewhat.